Published: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 6:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 6:53 p.m.

Regal Mayfaire Cinema 16 played host to a different kind of “family reunion” Saturday afternoon as it welcomed the cast and crew of the locally filmed thriller “The Conjuring” for a special screening of the film.

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Cast and crew members were hugging and talking excitedly as the crowd trickled in for the screening. Shrieks of “It's been too long” and “You're here!” could be heard frequently in the theater lobby.

Film producer Rob Cowan was right in the middle of it all.

“It's sort of like a nice family reunion. All these people worked so closely together for so long and now some of them haven't seen each other in a year,” Cowan said. “It's nice to get everyone back together.”

Set in 1971, “The Conjuring” follows a family whose farmhouse is haunted by a witch's spirit.

“I think people really will like it. People like to be scared,” Cowan said.

But he's quick to point out that “The Conjuring” is far from a typical horror film.

“It's suspenseful, not gory. It's all your fears built up,” he said.

“The Conjuring” is based on the real-life experiences of couple Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), who worked as psychic investigators during the 1970s.

Wilmington residents Shane Brewer and Rebecca Orsak, who worked as Wilson's and Farmiga's assistants respectively during filming, said the best part was seeing all the work they witnessed behind the scenes come to life.

“We were with our actors every day. ... It was good to see Patrick in the final role,” Brewer said. “It took weeks of research. Patrick (Wilson) spent weeks going through all the details, even down to researching what type of ring Ed Warren would wear.”

“Vera (Farmiga) did too, spending lots of time with Lorraine (Warren) in real life,” Orsak added.

“We saw a lot of the process, and to see it come out was amazing,” Brewer said.

This is exactly the type of reaction that unit production manager Chris Bromley was hoping for at the special screening.

“Everyone worked so hard and it's (the movie) really great. It's exciting for them to be able to see the fruits of their efforts,” Bromley said. “I'm just really happy for the Wilmington-based crew.”

Bromley, a Wrightsville Beach resident himself, said that working in Wilmington was one of the best parts of making the film.

“It's the best place to work in the country,” he said. “We had the most professional crew, the most professional environment. The city, the county – it was a big joint effort in making everyone feel welcome.”

The movie filmed at various locations in the Cape Fear region last year, including the Carolina Apartments, the Carolinian Inn and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

“The building that we worked in – the Carolina Apartments – I have a ton of friends that live there, and now every time I go by I'm terrified,” local actress Morganna Bridgers said.

Bridgers has a small role in the film as Debbie, one of the Warrens' early clients.

“I think people are going to love it. It's terrifying, but not gratuitous,” she said. “My friend that I brought was screaming a lot during it. Full-on belly screams – that's what I want from the audience.”

<p>Regal Mayfaire Cinema 16 played host to a different kind of “family reunion” Saturday afternoon as it welcomed the cast and crew of the locally filmed thriller “The Conjuring” for a special screening of the film. </p><p>Cast and crew members were hugging and talking excitedly as the crowd trickled in for the screening. Shrieks of “It's been too long” and “You're here!” could be heard frequently in the theater lobby.</p><p>Film producer Rob Cowan was right in the middle of it all.</p><p>“It's sort of like a nice family reunion. All these people worked so closely together for so long and now some of them haven't seen each other in a year,” Cowan said. “It's nice to get everyone back together.”</p><p>Set in 1971, “The Conjuring” follows a family whose farmhouse is haunted by a witch's spirit.</p><p>“I think people really will like it. People like to be scared,” Cowan said. </p><p>But he's quick to point out that “The Conjuring” is far from a typical horror film.</p><p>“It's suspenseful, not gory. It's all your fears built up,” he said.</p><p>“The Conjuring” is based on the real-life experiences of couple Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), who worked as psychic investigators during the 1970s.</p><p>Wilmington residents Shane Brewer and Rebecca Orsak, who worked as Wilson's and Farmiga's assistants respectively during filming, said the best part was seeing all the work they witnessed behind the scenes come to life.</p><p>“We were with our actors every day. ... It was good to see Patrick in the final role,” Brewer said. “It took weeks of research. Patrick (Wilson) spent weeks going through all the details, even down to researching what type of ring Ed Warren would wear.”</p><p>“Vera (Farmiga) did too, spending lots of time with Lorraine (Warren) in real life,” Orsak added.</p><p>“We saw a lot of the process, and to see it come out was amazing,” Brewer said. </p><p>This is exactly the type of reaction that unit production manager Chris Bromley was hoping for at the special screening.</p><p>“Everyone worked so hard and it's (the movie) really great. It's exciting for them to be able to see the fruits of their efforts,” Bromley said. “I'm just really happy for the Wilmington-based crew.”</p><p>Bromley, a Wrightsville Beach resident himself, said that working in Wilmington was one of the best parts of making the film.</p><p>“It's the best place to work in the country,” he said. “We had the most professional crew, the most professional environment. The city, the county – it was a big joint effort in making everyone feel welcome.”</p><p>The movie filmed at various locations in the Cape Fear region last year, including the Carolina Apartments, the Carolinian Inn and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. </p><p>“The building that we worked in – the Carolina Apartments – I have a ton of friends that live there, and now every time I go by I'm terrified,” local actress Morganna Bridgers said.</p><p>Bridgers has a small role in the film as Debbie, one of the Warrens' early clients.</p><p>“I think people are going to love it. It's terrifying, but not gratuitous,” she said. “My friend that I brought was screaming a lot during it. Full-on belly screams – that's what I want from the audience.” </p><p>“The Conjuring” will hit theaters July 19.</p><p><i></p><p>Ashley Withers: 343-2223</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @AshleyWithers</i></p>